One of the best week’s of her life is how 15-year-old Molly Harrison describes her time at Country Music Australian Association Junior Academy of Country Music (CMAA) course in Tamworth, Australia.
Molly along with her mum Jo, who also completed a parent course, spent a week learning about the country music industry last month.
The pinnacle of the course was the graduation concert held at Moonshiners Honky Tonk Bar.
Students performed group songs and performed an individual song with the majority of singers, including Molly, performing their original songs written during the course, and also supporting each other with backing vocals.
Molly was one of 27 like-minded attendees, many of who she now considers to be lifelong friends.
She said it was great to be with people who all have the same passion and drive for a life in the country music industry.
The course was extremely well organised and run by an incredibly talented team of staff, she said.
Many who were also successful Australian country artists themselves and a great number of Australian CMAA Golden Guitar Awards winners, including Roger Corbett and Dobe Newton from the well-known Bushwackers band, Lyn Bowtell, Ashleigh Dallas, Sarah Buckley, Jayne Denham and Anthony Snape.
The instrumental course group leader was former Ashburtonian Liam Kennedy-Clark.
‘‘It was special to have the Mid Canterbury connection,’’ Molly said.
To be interacting with all these amazing artists all week was definitely a highlight and honour, she said.
Molly particularly enjoyed her group time with group leader Sarah Buckley.
‘‘I enjoyed being able to learn each other’s songs and back each other up with harmonies,’’ she said.
Another highlight for her was getting to co-write a new song with Ashleigh Dallas a well known Australian country musician, assistant director of the academy and five time CMAA Golden Guitar winner.
Molly is very proud of the song they wrote named ‘From the Hillside’.
Molly came up with a song concept, and she and Ashleigh worked for two hours on the song. It is about home, and moving away to follow her dream of becoming a country music artist.
The days were long during the week – with classes starting at 8.30am and not finishing until at least 9pm each night and included master classes in singing, performing, interview techniques, guitar, songwriting and digital technology skills.
The parent course was a similar situation with Molly’s mum, Jo, being fed a wealth of information ranging from how and when to release music, mental health, gig expectations, social media, touring, as well as an interesting insight into the reality TV world.
Jo said she also made some amazing connections.
‘‘I really enjoyed all the different interesting topics which were covered in the parent classes and also getting to know like-minded parents with children with the same passion for the music industry and now knowing I have those connections moving forward.’’
Academy of Country Music.
The course included a media day and all students had the opportunity to take part in a radio interview and perform a group song for the radio.
The skills Molly learnt during this course have inspired her to keep pushing forward with her dream to make a life for herself in country music.
She was extremely thankful to everyone who helped make this opportunity possible, and particularly Creative New Zealand for funding course fees.
